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Publication describes the model for assessing and treating patients with blood clots in the emergency department and discharging them home.

Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB)January 06, 2015

A multi-disciplinary team at Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals implemented a successful transition-of-care program, Jefferson Facilitating Anticoagulation for Safer Transitions, or Jeff FAST, for patients presenting to the emergency room with acute, uncomplicated deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

“We compared a number of cases of DVT before and after we implemented the Jeff FAST program,” said Geno J. Merli, M.D., Senior Associate Chief Medical Officer at Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals. “We found that for some patients, outpatient care is safe and patients can avoid a hospital stay. Our publication defines the model for assessing and treating patients with blood clots in the emergency department and discharging them home.”

Dr. Merli and his team used evidenced-based guidelines to determine which patients could be discharged safely and which should be admitted to the hospital. Some factors include co-morbidities, prolonged immobilization and social support. Emergency Medicine physicians use the guidelines as a tool, in addition to their clinical judgment, while making the admission decision.

If discharge is appropriate, the patient and their caregiver receive education before leaving the hospital and staff ensure they are able to fill the prescription. In addition, a follow-up visit is scheduled prior to discharge. Patients are then called 3-5 days after discharge and then again at 30 days. The phone calls ensure the well-being of the patient and also provide time to reinforce anti-coagulation education.

“Patient education is a key component of the Jeff FAST program. We verify the patient’s ability to pay for and access their medication and review how the medication works, how to take it, as well as possible side effects,” said Laura Falconieri, Pharm.D., and first author. “With the right education, for the right patients, this condition can be safely managed on an outpatient basis."

Education for providers, also integral to the success of the program, is enhanced with a Jeff FAST application for smartphones, currently in development. The app will provide just-in-time information so that emergency room physicians can make the best informed decisions.

The authors will continue to monitor and update the program to ensure its continued success and sustainability.

About Jefferson — Health is all we do.
Thomas Jefferson University, Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals and Jefferson University Physicians are partners in providing the highest-quality, compassionate clinical care for patients, educating the health professionals of tomorrow, and discovering new treatments and therapies that will define the future of healthcare. Thomas Jefferson University enrolls more than 3,600 future physicians, scientists and healthcare professionals in the Sidney Kimmel Medical College (SKMC); Jefferson Schools of Health Professions, Nursing, Pharmacy, Population Health; and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, and is home of the National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center. Jefferson University Physicians is a multi-specialty physician practice consisting of over 650 SKMC full-time faculty. Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals is the largest freestanding academic medical center in Philadelphia. Services are provided at five locations — Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience in Center City Philadelphia; Methodist Hospital in South Philadelphia; Jefferson at the Navy Yard; and Jefferson at Voorhees in South Jersey.